Vehicle drive device

ABSTRACT

To provide a vehicle drive device capable of efficiently driving a vehicle by using a motor without falling into the vicious cycle between enhancement of driving via the motor and an increase in vehicle weight. The present invention is a vehicle drive device ( 10 ) having a motor for driving the wheels of a vehicle and includes a front wheel motor ( 20 ) for driving front wheels ( 2   b ) of a vehicle ( 1 ) and a battery ( 18 ) and a capacitor ( 22 ) that supply electric power for driving the front wheel motor ( 20 ), in which the voltage of the battery ( 18 ) and the capacitor ( 22 ) connected in series is applied to the front wheel motor ( 20 ) and the capacitor ( 22 ) is disposed between the left and right front wheels ( 2   b ) of the vehicle ( 1 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle drive device and, more particular to a vehicle drive device having a motor that drives wheels of a vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

In recent years, exhaust gas regulations for vehicles have been enhanced and demands for fuel efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions per travel distance for vehicles have become strict in various countries in the world. In addition, some cities regulate entry of vehicles traveling internal combustion engine into urban areas. To satisfy these requests, hybrid-drive vehicles having an internal combustion engine and motors and electric vehicles driven only by motors have been developed and widely used.

Japanese Patent No. 5280961 (PTL 1) describes a drive control device for vehicles. In this drive control device, a drive device is provided on the rear wheel side of the vehicle and two motors provided in this drive devise drive the rear wheels of the vehicle, respectively. In addition to drive device, a drive unit formed by connecting an internal combustion engine and a motor are in series is provided in the front portion of the vehicle. The power of the drive unit is transmitted to the front wheels via the transmission and the main drive shaft and the power of the drive device is transmitted to the rear wheels of the vehicle. In addition, in this drive control device, the two motors of the drive device are driven when the vehicle starts, and these driving forces are transmitted to the rear wheels of the vehicle, respectively. In addition, the driving unit also generates a driving force during acceleration of the vehicle and the four-wheel drive is achieved by the driving unit and the two motors of the drive device. As described above, in the drive control device described in PTL 1, the two motors provided mainly for the rear wheels of the vehicle generate the driving forces.

CITATION LIST Patent Literature

PTL 1: Japanese Patent No. 5280961

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Since the driving of a vehicle by motors does not emit carbon dioxide during a travel, emission regulations that are enhanced each year can be advantageously satisfied, but it is difficult to ensure a sufficiently long distance travel because the electric power that can be stored in the battery is limited. Accordingly, a hybrid drive device having an internal combustion engine together with motors is widely used as a drive device for vehicles. In addition, even in such a hybrid drive device, in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions during a travel, vehicles that mainly utilize the driving forces of motors like the vehicle described in PTL 1 are increasing.

Such a hybrid drive device driven mainly by the driving forces of motors as described above needs to have a large capacity battery to obtain sufficient travel performance. In addition, in order to obtain a sufficient driving forces by motors, the motors need to be operated at a relatively high voltage. Accordingly, in a hybrid drive device driven mainly by the driving forces of motors, since a large capacity battery is necessary and the electrical system that supplies a high voltage to the motors needs to be electrically insulated sufficiently, the overall weight of the vehicle increases and the fuel efficiency of the vehicle reduces. Furthermore, in order to drive the vehicle with a heavy weight by the motors, a larger capacity battery and a higher voltage are required, thereby causing a vicious cycle that further increases the weight.

In particular, when high output power is obtained while the voltage for driving the motor is kept low, since the cross section area of a conductor for supplying electric power needs to be increased due to an increase in the current for driving the motor, thereby causing an increase in weight and cost. In contrast, when high output power is obtained while the current for driving the motor is kept low, the power supply voltage needs to be increased, this high voltage requests the power supply system for transmitting electric power to the motor to have high insulation performance, thereby leading to an increase in weight and cost.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle drive device capable of efficiently driving a vehicle by using motors without falling into the vicious cycle between enhancement of driving by motors and an increase in vehicle weight.

Solution to Problem

To solve the problem described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a vehicle drive device having a motor for driving wheels of a vehicle, the vehicle drive device including a front wheel motor for driving front wheels of the vehicle; and a battery and a capacitor that supply electric power for driving the front wheel motor, in which a voltage of the battery and the capacitor connected in series is applied to the front wheel motor, and the capacitor is disposed between the left and right front wheels of the vehicle.

In the present invention configured as described above, the voltage of the battery and the capacitor connected in series is applied to the front wheel motor and the front wheel motor drives the front wheels of the vehicle. The capacitor is disposed between left and right wheels of the vehicle.

In the present invention configured as described above, since the voltage of the battery and the capacitor connected in series is applied to the front wheel motor, even when a low voltage battery is used, the front wheel motor can be driven by a higher voltage. This can keep the current for driving the front wheel motor low and prevent the conductor for supplying electric power from becoming excessive. On the other hand, since a high voltage is applied to the front wheel motor from the battery and the capacitor connected in series, the dielectric withstand voltage of a high voltage portion needs to be high. However, since the front wheel motor is close to the capacitor disposed between the left and right wheels of the vehicle, the route requested for a high dielectric withstand voltage becomes short and an increase in weight and cost can be minimized.

In the present invention, preferably, the capacitor is disposed at a position at which at least a part of the capacitor overlaps with the front wheels when viewed from a side of the vehicle.

In the present invention configured as described above, since the capacitor is disposed at a position at which at least a part of the capacitor overlaps with the front wheels when viewed from the side of the vehicle, the electric power supply path from the capacitor to the front wheel motor can be further shortened, thereby further suppressing an increase in weight and cost caused by the insulating member.

In the present invention, preferably, the vehicle drive device further includes an internal combustion engine that drives the vehicle, in which the capacitor is disposed in front of the internal combustion engine so that at least a part of the capacitor overlaps with the internal combustion engine when viewed from a front of the vehicle.

In the present invention configured as described above, since the capacitor is disposed in front of the internal combustion engine, if the vehicle collides from the front, the capacitor is damaged first. The capacitor is generally made of a material that does not burn easily. Accordingly, even if the vehicle collides, since the flame-retardant capacitor suppresses damage to the internal combustion engine, the safety of the vehicle can be further enhanced.

In the present invention, preferably, the front wheel motor includes in-wheel motors provided in the left and right front wheels of the vehicle, respectively.

In the present invention configured as described above, since the front wheel motor includes in-wheel motors, the drive shafts that connect the from wheel motor and the wheels can be eliminated or shortened, thereby making the vehicle more lightweight.

In the present invention, preferably, the battery is disposed below a vehicle interior of the vehicle or in a rear portion of the vehicle.

In the present invention configured as described above, since the battery is disposed below the vehicle interior of the vehicle or in the rear portion of the vehicle, even if the vehicle collides from the front, the impact of the collision does not easily affect the battery and damage to the battery can be suppressed.

In the present invention, preferably, a maximum inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor is set to a voltage higher than an inter-terminal voltage of the battery.

In the present invention configured as described above, since the maximum inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor is higher than the inter-terminal voltage of the battery, the voltage applied to the front wheel motor can be sufficiently high and sufficient output power can be obtained while the current flowing to the front wheel motor is suppressed.

In the present invention, preferably, the vehicle drive device further includes a first voltage converting unit connected between the capacitor and the battery, in which the first voltage converting unit performs at least one of an operation that raises the voltage of the battery and charges the capacitor with electric power stored in the battery and an operation that lowers the voltage of the capacitor and charges the battery with electric power stored in the capacitor.

In the present invention configured as described above, since the vehicle drive device includes the first voltage converting unit that charges the capacitor with the electric power stored in the battery or charges the battery with the electric power stored in the capacitor, the amounts of electric power stored in the battery and the capacitor can be adjusted and the electric power stored in the battery and the capacitor can be used effectively.

In the present invention, preferably, the vehicle drive device further includes a second voltage converting unit connected between the battery and an electric component provided in the vehicle, in which the second voltage convening unit lowers the voltage of the battery and supplies electric power to the electric component.

In the present invention configured as described above, since the second voltage converting unit lowers the battery voltage and supplies electric power to the electric component, the battery used to drive the front wheel motor can be shared with the electric component and the vehicle can be made lightweight.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The vehicle drive device according to the present invention can efficiently drive a vehicle using a motor without causing the vicious cycle between enhancement of driving by the motor and an increase in vehicle weight.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a layout diagram illustrating a vehicle in which a hybrid drive device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, as seen from above, illustrating a front portion of the vehicle in which the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view, as seen from the side, illustrating the front portion of the vehicle in which the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line iv-iv in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the inputs and outputs of various signals in the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the power supply structure of the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating one example of changes in voltages when electric power is regenerated into a capacitor in the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the output power and the vehicle speed of individual motors used in the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of an auxiliary drive motor adopted in the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating control by a control device of the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating examples of operations in individual modes of the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically illustrating changes in the acceleration acting on the vehicle when a transmission downshifts or upshifts in the hybrid drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Next, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a layout diagram illustrating, a vehicle in which a hybrid drive device according to a first embodiment of the present invention is installed. FIG. 2 is a perspective view, as seen from the side, illustrating the front portion of a vehicle in which the hybrid drive device according to the embodiment is installed and FIG. 3 is a perspective view, as seen from the side, illustrating the front portion of the vehicle. FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line iv-iv in FIG. 2.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a vehicle 1 having the hybrid drive system, which is a vehicle drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, is a so-called FR (front engine rear drive) vehicle in which an engine 12 as an internal combustion engine is installed in the front portion (in front of the driver's seat) of the vehicle and a pair of left and right rear wheels 2 a as main drive wheels is driven. In addition, as described later, the rear wheels 2 a are also driven by the main drive motor, which is the main drive electric motor, and a pair of left and right front wheels 2 b, which are auxiliary drive wheels, is driven by the auxiliary drive motors, which are the auxiliary drive electric motors.

A hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention installed in the vehicle 1 includes the engine 12 that drives the rear wheels 2 a, a power transmission mechanism 14 that transmits a driving force to the rear wheels 2 a, a main drive motor 16 that drives the rear wheels 2 a, a battery 18 that is an electric storage unit, auxiliary drive motors 20 that drive the front wheels 2 b, a capacitor 22, and a control device 24 that is a controller.

The engine 12 is an internal combustion engine for generating a driving force for the rear wheels 2 a, which are the main drive wheels of the vehicle 1. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 to 4, in the embodiment in-line 4-cylinder engine is adopted as the engine 12 and the engine 12 disposed in the front portion of the vehicle 1 drives the rear wheels 2 a via the power transmission mechanism 14. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, in the embodiment, the engine 12 is a flywheel-less engine that does not include a flywheel and installed on a subframe 4 a of the vehicle 1 via engine mounts 6 a. Furthermore, the sub-frame 4 a is fastened and fixed to the lower portions of front side frames 4 b and the lower portion of a dash panel 4 c at the rear ends thereof.

The power transmission mechanism 14 is configured to transmit the driving force generated by the engine 12 to the rear wheels 2 a, which are the main drive wheels. As illustrated in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the power transmission mechanism 14 includes a propeller shaft 14 a connected to the engine 12, a clutch 14 b, and a transmission 14 c, which is a stepped transmission. The propeller shaft 14 a extends from the engine 12 disposed in the front portion of the vehicle 1 toward the rear of the vehicle 1 in a propeller shaft tunnel 4 d (FIG. 2). The rear end of the propeller shaft 14 a is connected to the transmission 14 c via the clinch 14 b, The output shaft of the transmission 14 c is connected to the axle shaft (not illustrated) of the rear wheels 2 a and drives the rear wheels 2 a.

In the embodiment, the transmission 14 c is provided in so-called transaxle arrangement. As a result, since the main body of the transmission with a large outer diameter is not present immediately behind the engine 12, the width of the floor tunnel (propeller shaft tunnel 4 d) can be reduced, the foot space in the middle of the occupant can he obtained, and the lower body of the occupant can take a symmetrical posture that faces directly the front. Furthermore, the outer diameter and the length of the main drive motor 16 can easily have sufficient sizes according to the output power thereof while keeping this posture of the occupant.

The main drive motor is an electric motor for generating a driving force for the main drive wheels, provided on the body of the vehicle 1, disposed behind the engine 12 adjacently to the engine 12, and functions as a body side motor. In addition, an inverter (INV) 16 a is disposed adjacently to the main drive motor 16 and the inverter 16 a converts the current from the battery 18 into alternating current and supplies the alternating current to the main drive motor 16. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the main drive motor 16 is connected in series to the engine 12 and the driving force generated by the main drive motor 16 is also transmitted to the rear wheels 2 a via the power transmission mechanism 14. Alternatively, the present invention may be configured so that the driving three is transmitted to the rear wheels 2 a via a part of the power transmission mechanism 14 by connecting the main drive motor 16 to an intermediate point of the power transmission mechanism 14. In addition, the embodiment adopts, as the main drive motor 16, a 25 kW permanent magnet motor (permanent magnet synchronous motor) driven by 48 V.

The battery 18 is an electric storage unit that stores electric power for mainly operating the main drive motor 16. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 2, the battery 18 is disposed inside the propeller shaft tunnel 4 d so as to surround the torque tube 14 d that covers the propeller shaft 14 a below the vehicle interior of the vehicle 1 in the embodiment. Furthermore, in the embodiment, a 48 V 3.5 kWh lithium ion battery (LIB) is used as the battery 18.

Since the transaxle arrangement is adopted in the embodiment as described above, the volume for accommodating the battery 18 can be expanded toward the space in front of the floor tunnel (propeller shaft tunnel 4 d) created by this arrangement. This can obtain and expand the capacity of the battery 18 without reducing the space in the middle of the occupant by increasing the width of the floor tunnel. Alternatively, the battery 18 may be disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle 1 in a modification.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the auxiliary drive motors 20, which are front wheel motors, are provided in the front wheels 2 b under the springs of the vehicle 1 so as to generate driving forces for the left and right front wheels 2 b, which are the auxiliary drive wheels. In the embodiment, the front wheel 2 b is supported by a double wishbone type suspension and is suspended by an upper arm 8 a, a lower arm 8 b, a spring 8 c, and a shock absorber 8 d. The auxiliary drive motors 20 are in-wheel motors and are housed in the wheels of the front wheels 2 b. Accordingly the auxiliary drive motors 20 are provided in the so-called “under-spring portions” of the vehicle 1 so as to drive the front wheels 2 b. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, the current from the capacitor (CAP) 22 is converted into alternating current by inverters 20 a and supplied to the auxiliary drive motors 20. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the auxiliary drive motors 20 are not provided with deceleration machines that are deceleration mechanisms, the driving forces of auxiliary drive motors 20 are directly transmitted to the front wheels 2 b, and the wheels are directly driven. In addition, in the embodiment, 17 kW induction motors are adopted as the auxiliary drive motors 20.

The capacitor (CAP) 42 is provided so as to store the electric power regenerated by the auxiliary drive motors 20. As illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the capacitor 22 is disposed between the left and right front wheels 2 b immediately its front of (ahead of) the engine 12 and supplies electric power to the auxiliary drive motors 20 provided in the front wheels 2 b of the vehicle 1. That is, the capacitor 22 is disposed at a position at which the capacitor 22 overlaps with the front wheels 2 b when viewed from the side of the vehicle 1 as illustrated in FIG. 3 and at least a part of the capacitor 22 overlaps with the engine 12 when viewed from the front of the vehicle 1 as illustrated in FIG. 2. As illustrated in FIG. 4, in the capacitor 22, brackets 22 a projecting from both side surfaces thereof are supported by the from side frames 4 b via a capacitor mount 6 b. In addition, a harness 22 b extending from the auxiliary drive motor 20 to the capacitor 22 passes through the upper end of the side wall of the wheel house and is led to the engine room. In addition, the capacitor 22 is configured to store electric charge at a voltage higher than in the battery 18 and is disposed in a region between the left and right front wheels 2 b, which are the auxiliary drive wheels. The auxiliary drive motors 20, which are driven mainly by the electric power stored in the capacitor 22, are driven by a voltage higher than in the main drive motor 16.

The control device 24 controls the engine 12, the main drive motor 16, and the auxiliary drive motors 20 to execute a motor travel mode and an internal combustion engine travel mode. Specifically, the control device 24 can include a microprocessor, a memory, an interface circuit, a program for operating these components (these components are not illustrated), and the like. Details on control by the control device 24 will be described later.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 1, a high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a and a low voltage DC/DC converter 26 b, which are voltage converting units, are disposed near the capacitor 22. The high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a, the low voltage DC/DC converter 26 b, the capacitor 22, and the two inverters 20 a are unitized to form an integrated unit.

Next, the overall structure, the power supply structure, and the driving of the vehicle 1 by the individual motors in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 5 to FIG. 8.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the inputs and outputs of various signals in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the power supply structure of the hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating one example of changes in voltages when electric power is regenerated into the capacitor 22 in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the relationship between the output power of the motors used in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment and the vehicle speed.

First, the inputs and outputs of various signals in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the control device 24 receives the detection signals detected by a mode selection switch 40, a vehicle speed sensor 42, an accelerator position sensor 44, a brake sensor 46, an engine RPM sensor 48, an automatic transmission (AT) input rotation sensor 50, an automatic transmission (AT) output rotation sensor 52, a voltage sensor 54. and a current sensor 56. In addition, the control device 24 controls the inverter 16 a for the main drive motor, the inverters 20 a for the auxiliary drive motors 20, the high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a, the low voltage DC/DC converter 26 b, a fuel injection valve 58, a spark plug 60, and a hydraulic solenoid valve 62 of the transmission 14 c by control signals to these components.

Next, the power supply structure of the hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the battery 18 and capacitor 22 included in e hybrid drive device 10 are connected in series to each other. The main drive motor 16 is driven by approximately 48 V, which is the reference output voltage of the battery 18, and the auxiliary drive motors 20 are driven by a maximum voltage of 120 V, which is higher than the sum of the output voltage (inter-terminal voltage) of the battery 18 and the inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor 22. That is, in the embodiment, the maximum inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor 22 is 72 V, which is higher than the inter-terminal voltage of the battery 18. Therefore, the auxiliary drive motors 20 are always driven by the electric power supplied via the capacitor 22.

In addition, the inverter 16 a is mounted to the main drive motor 16 and converts the output of the battery 18 into alternating current through which the main drive motor 16, which is a permanent magnet motor, is driven. Similarly, the inverters 20 a are mounted to the auxiliary drive motors 20 and convert the outputs of the battery 18 and the capacitor 22 into alternating current through which the auxiliary drive motors 20, which are induction motors, are driven. Since the auxiliary drive motors 20 are driven by a voltage higher than in the main drive motor 16, the harness (electric wires) 22 b that supply electric power to the auxiliary drive motors 20 need to have high insulation. However, since the capacitor 22 is disposed close to the auxiliary drive motors 20, an increase in the weight due to high insulation of the harnesses 22 b can be minimized.

Furthermore, when, for example, the vehicle 1 decelerates, the main drive motor 16 and the auxiliary drive motors 20 function as generators and generate electric power by regenerating the kinetic energy of the vehicle 1. The electric power regenerated by the main drive motor 16 is stored in the battery 18 and the electric power regenerated by the auxiliary drive motors 20 is stored mainly in the capacitor 22.

In addition, the high voltage DC IDC converter 26 a, which is a first voltage converting unit, is connected between the battery 18 and the capacitor 22 and this high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a charges the capacitor 22 by raising the voltage of the battery 18 when the electric charge stored in the capacitor 22 is insufficient (when the inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor 22 drops), In contrast, when the inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor 22 rises to a predetermined voltage or higher due to regeneration of energy by the auxiliary drive motors 20, the battery 18 is charged by reducing the electric charge stored m the capacitor 22 and applying the electric charge to the battery 18. That is, the electric power regenerated by the auxiliary drive motors 20 is stored in the capacitor 22, and then the battery 18 is charged with a part of the stored electric charge via the high voltage DC/DC convener 26 a.

Furthermore, the low voltage DC/DC converter 26 b, which is a second voltage converting unit, is connected between the battery 18 and 12V electric components 25 of the vehicle 1. Since the control device 24 of the hybrid drive device 10 and many of the electric components 25 of the vehicle 1 operate at a voltage of 12 V, the electrical charge stored in the battery 18 is lowered to 12 V by the low voltage DC/DC converter 26 b and supplied to these devices.

Next, charging and discharging of the capacitor 22 will be described with reference to FIG. 7.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the voltage of the capacitor 22 is the sum of the base voltage of the battery 18 and the inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor 22 itself. When, for example, the vehicle 1 decelerates, the auxiliary drive motors 20 regenerate electric power and the capacitor 22 is charged with the regenerated electric power. When the capacitor 22 is charged, the inter-terminal voltage rises relatively rapidly. When the inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor 22 rises to a predetermined voltage or more due to the charging, the voltage of the capacitor 22 is reduced by the high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a and the battery 18 is charged. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the charging to the battery 18 from the capacitor 22 is performed relatively slowly than the charging to the capacitor 22 and the voltage of the capacitor 22 drops to a proper voltage relatively slowly.

That is, the electric power regenerated by the auxiliary drive motors 20 is temporarily stored in the capacitor 22 and then the battery 18 is slowly charged with the regenerated electric power. Depending on the time when the regeneration is performed, the regeneration of electric power by the auxiliary drive motors 20 may overlap with the charging from the capacitor 22 to the battery 18.

In contrast, the battery 18 is directly charged with the electric power regenerated by the main drive motor 16.

Next, the relationship between the vehicle speed and the output power of the motors in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a graph illustrating the relationship between the speed of the vehicle 1 and the output power of the motors in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment. In FIG. 8, the output power of the main drive motor 16 is represented by a dotted line, the output power of one of the auxiliary drive motors 20 is represented by a dot-dash line, the sum of the output power of the two auxiliary drive motors 20 is represented by a dot-dot-dash line, and the sum of the output power of all motors is represented by a solid line. Although FIG. 8 illustrates the speed of the vehicle 1 on the horizontal axis and the output power of the motors on the vertical axis, since there is a certain relationship between the speed of the vehicle 1 and the number of revolutions of each of the motors, the output power of the motors draws curves similar to those in FIG. 8 even when the number of revolutions of each of the motors is represented on the horizontal axis.

Since a permanent magnet motor is adopted as the main drive motor 16 in the embodiment, as represented by the dotted line in FIG. 8, the output power of the main drive motor 16 is large in a low vehicle speed range in which the number of revolutions of the motor is low and the motor output power that can be output reduces as the vehicle speed increases. That is, in the embodiment, the main drive motor 16 is driven by approximately 48 V, outputs a torque (maximum torque) of approximately 200 Nm up to approximately 1000 rpm, and the torque reduces with the increase in the number of revolutions at approximately 1000 rpm or more. In addition, in the embodiment, the main drive motor 16 is configured to obtain a continuous output power of approximately 20 kW and a maximum output power of approximately 25 kW in the lowest low speed range.

In contrast, since induction motors are used as the auxiliary drive motors 20, the output power of the auxiliary drive motors 20 is very small in the low vehicle speed range, the output power increases as the speed becomes higher, the maximum output power is obtained at a vehicle speed close to 130 km/h or so, and then the motor output power reduces, as represented by the dot-dash line and the dot-dot-dash line in FIG. 8. In the embodiment, the auxiliary drive motors 20 are driven by approximately 120 V, and each of them obtains an output power of approximately 17 kW and the two motors obtain a total output power of approximately 34 kW at a vehicle speed close to 130 km/h or so. That is, in the embodiment, each of the auxiliary drive motors 20 has a peak of the torque curve and obtains a maximum torque of approximately 200 Nm at approximately 600 to 800 rpm.

The solid line in FIG. 8 represents the sum of the output power of the main drive motor 16 and the two auxiliary drive motors 20. As is clear from this graph, in the embodiment, a maximum output power of approximately 53 kW is obtained at a vehicle speed close to 130 km/h or so and the travel condition requested in the WLTP test at this vehicle speed is satisfied at this maximum output power. In addition, although the output power values of the two auxiliary drive motors 20 are summed up even in the low vehicle speed range as represented by the solid line in FIG. 8. the auxiliary drive motors 20 are actually not driven in the low vehicle speed range as described later. That is, the vehicle is driven only by the main drive motor 16 at startup and in a low vehicle speed range and the two auxiliary drive motors 20 generate output power only when large output power is required in the high vehicle speed range (for example, when the vehicle 1 is accelerated in the high vehicle speed range). By using the induction motors (auxiliary drive motors 20) capable of generating large output power in the high revolutions range only in the high speed range as described above, sufficient output power can be obtained when necessary (for example, when acceleration at a predetermined speed or more is performed) while an increase in vehicle weight is kept low.

Next, the structure of the auxiliary drive motors 20 adopted in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a sectional view schematically illustrating the structure of the auxiliary drive motor 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the auxiliary drive motor 20 is an outer rotor type induction motor including a stator 28 and a rotor 30 that rotates around this stator.

The stator 28 includes a substantially discoid, stator base 28 a, a stator shaft 28 b extending from the center of the stator base 28 a, and a stator coil 28 c attached around the stator shaft 28 b,. In addition, stator coil 28 c is housed in an electrical insulating liquid chamber 32, immersed in electrical insulating liquid 32 a that fills the electrical insulating liquid chamber, and subject to boiling cooling via the liquid.

The rotor 30 is formed in a substantially cylindrical shape so as to surround the periphery of the stator 28 and has a substantially cylindrical rotor body 30 a with one end closed and a rotor coil 30 b disposed on the inner peripheral wall surface of the rotor body 30 a. The rotor coil 30 b is disposed facing the stator coil 28 c so as to generate induction current by the rotational magnetic field generated by the stator coil 28 c. In addition, the rotor 30 is supported by a bearing 34 attached to the end of the stator shaft 28 b so as to rotate smoothly around the stator 28.

The stator base 28 a is supported by an upper arm 8 a and a lower arm 8 b (FIG. 4) that suspend the front wheels of the vehicle 1. In contrast, the rotor body 30 a is directly fixed to the wheels of the front wheels 2 b (not illustrated). Alternating current converted by the inverters 20 a flows through the stator coil 28 c and generates a rotational magnetic field. This rotational magnetic field causes an induced current to flow through the rotor coil 30 b and generates a driving force that rotates the rotor body 30 a. As described above, the driving forces generated b the auxiliary drive motors 20 rotationally drive the wheels of the front wheels 2 b (not illustrated) directly.

Next, the operation of the motor travel mode and the operation of the internal combustion engine travel mode performed by the control device 24 will be described with reference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11. FIG . 10 is a flowchart illustrating control by the control device 24 and FIG. 11 is a graph illustrating examples of the operations of these modes. The flowchart illustrated in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed at predetermined time intervals while the vehicle 1 operates.

The graph illustrated in FIG. 11 represents, in order from the top, the speed of the vehicle 1, the torque generated by the engine 12, the torque generated by the main drive motor 16, the torque generated by the auxiliary drive motors 20, the voltage of the capacitor 22, the current of the capacitor 22. and the current of the battery 18. In the graph representing the torque of the main drive motor 16 and the torques of the auxiliary drive motors 20, positive values mean the state in which motors generate torques and negative values mean the state in which motors regenerate the kinetic energy of the vehicle 1. In addition, in the graph representing the current of the capacitor 22 and the current of the battery 18, negative values mean the state in which electric power is supplied (discharged) to motors and positive values mean the state of charging with the electric power regenerated by motors.

First, in step S1 in FIG. 10, it is determined whether the vehicle 1 has been set to the internal combustion engine travel mode (ENG mode). That is, the vehicle 1 has the mode selection switch 40 (FIG. 5) that selects either the internal combustion engine travel mode or the motor travel mode (EV mode) and it is determined in step S1 which mode has been set. Since the motor travel mode is set at time t₁ in FIG. 11, the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 10 proceeds to step S2.

Next, in step S2, it is determined whether the speed of the vehicle 1 is equal to or more than a predetermined vehicle speed the processing proceeds to step S6 when the speed is equal to or more than the predetermined vehicle speed or the processing proceeds to step S3 when the speed is less than the predetermined vehicle speed. Since the driver has started the vehicle 1 and the vehicle speed is low at time t₁ in FIG. 11, the processing of the flowchart proceeds to step S3.

Furthermore, in step S3, it is determined whether the vehicle 1 is decelerating (whether the brake pedal (not illustrated) of the vehicle 1 is being operated). The processing proceeds to step S5 when the vehicle 1 is decelerating or the processing proceeds to step S4 when the vehicle 1 is accelerating or traveling at a constant speed (when the brake sensor 46 (FIG. 5) does not detect the operation of the brake pedal). Since they driver has started the vehicle 1 and is accelerating the vehicle 1 (accelerator position sensor 44 (FIG. 5) has detected that the accelerator pedal of the vehicle 1 has been operated by a predetermined amount or more) at time t₁ in FIG. 11, the processing of the flowchart proceeds to step S4 and the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 10 is completed once. In step S4, the main drive motor 16 generates a torque and the vehicle speed increases (from time t₁ to time t₂ in FIG. 11). At this time, since discharge current flows from the battery 18 that supplies electric power to the main drive motor 16 and discharge current from the capacitor 22 remains zero because the auxiliary drive motors 20 do not generate torques, the voltage of the capacitor 22 does not change. The current and voltage are detected by the voltage sensor 54 and the current sensor 56 (FIG. 5) and input to the control device 24. In addition, from time t₁ to time t₂ in FIG. 11, the engine 12 is not driven because the motor travel mode is set. That is, since the control device 24 stops fuel injection via the fuel injection valve 58 of the engine 12 and does not perform ignition via the ignition plug 60, the engine 12 does not generate a torque.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the vehicle 1 accelerates from time t₁ to time t₂ and then travels at a constant speed until time t₃. In this period, the processing of steps S1, S2, S3, and S4 in the flowchart in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed. During this low speed travel, the torque generated by the main drive motor 16 becomes smaller than the torque during the acceleration, the current discharged from the battery 18 also becomes smaller.

Next, when the driver operates the brake pedal (not illustrated) of the vehicle 1 at time t₃ in FIG. 11, the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 10 proceeds to step S5 from step S3. In step S5, the driving by the main drive motor 16 is stopped (no torque is generated) and the kinetic energy of the vehicle 1 is regenerated as electric power by the auxiliary drive motors 20. The vehicle 1 is decelerated by the regeneration of the kinetic energy, the discharge current from battery 18 becomes zero, the charge current flows through the capacitor 22 because the electric power is regenerated by the auxiliary drive motors 20, and the voltage of the capacitor 22 rises.

When the vehicle 1 stops at time t₄ in FIG. 11, the charge current to the capacitor 22 becomes zero and the voltage of the capacitor 22 also becomes constant. Next, the vehicle 1 is started again at time t₅ and reaches a constant speed travel (time t₆), and the processing of steps S1, S2, S3, and S4 in the flowchart in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed until the deceleration of the vehicle 1 is started (time t₇). When the deceleration of the vehicle is started at time the processing of steps S1, S2, S3, and S5 in the flowchart in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed and the auxiliary drive motors 20 regenerate electric power. As described above, the motor travel mode is set while the vehicle starts and stops repeatedly at a relatively low speed in urban areas or the like, the vehicle 1 functions purely as an electric vehicle (EV) and the engine 12 does not generate a torque.

Furthermore, when the vehicle 1 is started at time t₈ in FIG. 11, the processing of steps S1, S2, S3, and S4 in the flowchart in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed and the vehicle 1 is accelerated. Next, when the speed of the vehicle 1 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 42 (FIG. 5) exceeds a predetermined first vehicle speed at time t₉, the processing of the flowchart proceeds to step S6 from step S2. In step S6, it is determined whether the vehicle 1 is decelerating (the brake pedal is being operated). Since the vehicle 1 is not decelerating at time t₉, the processing of the flowchart proceeds to step S7. In step S7, it is determined whether the vehicle 1 is accelerating by a predetermined value or more (whether the accelerator pedal of the vehicle 1 has been operated by a predetermined amount or more). In the embodiment, the predetermined first vehicle speed is set to approximately 100 km/h, which is more than a travel speed of 0 km/h.

Since the vehicle 1 is accelerating by a predetermined value or more at time t₉ in the example illustrated in FIG. 11, the processing proceeds to step S8, in which the main drive motor 16 is driven and the auxiliary drive motors 20 are also driven. When the vehicle 1 is accelerated by a predetermined value or more at the predetermined first vehicle speed or more in the motor travel mode as described above, electric power is supplied to the main drive motor 16 and the auxiliary drive motors 20 to obtain the required power, and this drives the vehicle 1. In other words, the control device 24 starts the vehicle 1 (time t₈) by causing the main drive motor 16 to generate a driving force and then causes the auxiliary drive motors 20 to generate driving forces when the travel speed of the vehicle 1 detected by the vehicle speed sensor 42 reaches the first vehicle speed (time t₉). At this time, the battery 18 supplies electric power to the main drive motor 16 and the capacitor 22 supplies electric power to the auxiliary drive motors 20. Since the capacitor 22 supplies electric power as described above, the voltage of the capacitor 22 drops. While the vehicle 1 is driven by the main drive motor 16 and the auxiliary drive motors 20 (from time t₉ to time t₁₀), the processing of steps S1, S2, S6, S7, and S8 in the flowchart is repeatedly executed.

As described above, the auxiliary drive motors 20 generate driving forces when the travel speed of the vehicle 1 is equal to or more than the predetermined first vehicle speed and are prohibited from generating driving forces when the travel speed is less than the first vehicle speed. Although the first vehicle speed is set to approximately 100 km/h in the embodiment, the first vehicle speed may be set to any vehicle speed that is equal to or more than approximately 50 km/h according to the output characteristics of the adopted auxiliary drive motors 20. In contrast, the main drive motor 16 generates a driving force when the travel speed of the vehicle 1 is less than a predetermined second vehicle speed including zero or when the travel speed is equal to or more than the second vehicle speed. The predetermined second vehicle speed may be set to a vehicle speed identical to or different from the first vehicle speed. In addition, in the embodiment, the main drive motor 16 always generates a driving force when the driving force is requested in the motor travel mode.

Next, when the vehicle 1 shifts to a constant speed travel (when the accelerator pedal is operated by less than, a predetermined amount) at time t₁₀, in FIG. 11, the processing of steps S1, S2, S6, S7, and S9 in the flowchart is repeatedly executed. In step S9, driving by the auxiliary drive motors 20 is stopped (no torque is generated) and the vehicle 1 is driven only by the main drive motor 16. Even when the vehicle 1 travels at the predetermined vehicle speed or more, the vehicle 1 is driven only by the main drive motor 16 if the acceleration is less than the predetermined amount.

In addition, since the voltage of the capacitor 22 drops to the predetermined value or less because the capacitor 22 has driven the auxiliary drive motors 20 from time t₉ to time t₁₀, the control device 24 sends a signal to the high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a at time t₁₀ to charge the capacitor 22. That is, the high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a raises the voltage of the electric charge stored in the battery 18 and charges the capacitor 22. This causes the current for driving the main drive motor 16 and the current for charging the capacitor 22 to be discharged from the battery 18 from time t₁₀ to time t₁₁ in FIG. 11. If large electric power is regenerated by the auxiliary drive motors 20 and the voltage of the capacitor 22 rises to a predetermined value or more, the control device 24 sends a signal to the high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a to reduce the voltage of the capacitor 22 and charges the battery 18. As described above, the electric power regenerated by the auxiliary drive motors 20 is consumed by the auxiliary drive motors 20, or stored in the capacitor 22 and then used to charge the battery 18 via the high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a.

When the vehicle 1 decelerates (the brake pedal is operated) at time t₁₁ in FIG. 11, the processing of steps S1, S2, 86, and S10 in the flowchart will be repeatedly executed. In step S10, the kinetic energy of the vehicle 1 is regenerated as electric power by both the main drive motor 16 and the auxiliary drive motors 20. The electric power regenerated by the main drive motor 16 is stored in the battery 18 and the electric power regenerated by the auxiliary drive motors 20 is stored in the capacitor 22. As described above, when the brake pedal is operated at the specified vehicle speed or more, electric power is regenerated by both the main drive motor 16 and the auxiliary drive motors 20 and electric charge is stored in the capacitor 22 and the battery 18.

Next, at time t₁₂ in FIG. 11, the driver switches the mode of the vehicle 1 from the motor travel mode to the internal combustion engine travel mode by operating the mode selection switch 40 (FIG. 5) and depresses the accelerator pedal (not illustrated). When the mode of the vehicle 1 is switched to the internal combustion engine travel mode the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 10 by the control device 24 proceeds to step S11 from step S1, and the processing of step S11 and subsequent steps is executed.

First, in step S11, it is determined whether the vehicle 1 stops. When the vehicle 1 does not stop (the vehicle 1 is traveling), it is determined in step S12 whether the vehicle 1 is decelerating (whether the brake pedal (not illustrated) is being operated). Since the vehicle 1 is traveling and the driver is operating the accelerator pedal at time t₁₂ in FIG. 11, the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 10 proceeds to step S13.

In step S13, the supply of fuel to the engine 12 starts and the engine 12 generates a torque. That is, since the output shaft (not illustrated) of the engine 12 is directly connected to the output shaft (not illustrated) of the main drive motor 16 in the embodiment, the output shaft of the engine 12 always rotates together with driving by the main drive motor 16. However, the engine 12 does not generate a torque in the motor travel mode because fuel supply to the engine 12 is performed, but, in the internal combustion engine travel mode, the engine 12 generates a torque because fuel supply (fuel injection by the fuel injection valve 58 and ignition by the ignition plug 60) starts.

In addition, immediately after switching from the motor travel mode to the internal combustion engine travel mode, the control device 24 causes the main drive motor 16 to generate a torque for starting the engine (from time t₁₂ to time t₁₃ in FIG. 11). This torque for starting the engine is generated to cause the vehicle 1 to travel until the engine 12 actually generates a torque after fuel supply to the engine 12 is started and suppress torque fluctuations before and after the engine 12 generates a torque. In addition, in the embodiment, when the number of revolutions of the engine 12 at the time of switching to the internal combustion engine travel mode is less than a predetermined number of revolutions, fuel supply to the engine 12 is not started and the fuel supply is started when the number of revolutions of the engine 12 is equal to or more than the predetermined number of revolutions due to the torque for starting the engine. In the embodiment, when the number of revolutions of the engine 12 detected by the engine RPM sensor 48 rises to 2000 rpm or more, fuel supply is started.

While the vehicle 1 accelerates or travels at a constant speed after the engine 12 is started, the processing of steps S1, S11, S12, and S13 in the flowchart in FIG. 10 is repeatedly executed (from time t₁₃ to time t₁₄ in FIG. 11). As described above, in the internal combustion engine travel mode, the engine 12 exclusively outputs the power for driving the vehicle 1 and the main drive motor 16 and the auxiliary drive motors 20 do not output the power for driving the vehicle 1. Accordingly, the driver can enjoy the driving feeling of the vehicle 1 driven by the internal combustion engine.

Next, when the driver operates the brake pedal (not illustrated) at time t₁₄ in FIG. 11, the processing of the flowchart in FIG. 10 proceeds to step S14 from step S12. In step S14, fuel supply to the engine 12 is stopped and fuel consumption is suppressed. Furthermore, in step S15, the main drive motor 16 and the auxiliary drive motors 20 regenerate the kinetic energy of the vehicle 1 as electric energy and charge current flows through the battery 18 and the capacitor 22. As described above, during deceleration of the vehicle 1, the processing of steps S1, S11, S12, S14, and S15 is repeatedly executed (from time t₁₄ to time t₁₅ in FIG. 11).

During deceleration of the vehicle 1 in the internal combustion engine travel mode, the control device 24 performs downshift torque adjustment by driving the auxiliary drive motors 20 in switching (shifting) of the transmission 14 c, which is a stepped transmission. The torque generated by this torque adjustment complements an instantaneous torque drop or the like and is not equivalent to the torque that drives the vehicle 1. Details on torque adjustment will be described later.

On the other hand, when the vehicle 1 stops at time t₁₅ in FIG. 11, the processing of the flowchart FIG. 10 proceeds to step S16 from step S11. In step S16, the control device 24 supplies the minimum fuel required to maintain the idling of the engine 12. In addition, the control device 24 generates an assist torque via the main drive motor 16 so that the engine 12 can maintain idling at a low number of revolutions. As described above, while the vehicle 1 stops, the processing of steps S1, S11, and S16 is repeatedly executed (from time t₁₅ to time t₁₆ in FIG. 11).

Although the engine 12 is a flywheel-less engine in the embodiment, since the assist torque generated by the main drive motor 16 acts as a pseudo flywheel, the engine 12 can maintain smooth idling at a low number of revolutions. In addition, adoption of a flywheel-less engine makes the response of the engine 12 high during a travel in the internal combustion engine travel mode, thereby enabling driving with a good feeling.

In addition, when the vehicle 1 starts from a stop state in the internal combustion engine travel mode, the control device 24 increases the number of revolutions the main drive motor 16 (the number of revolutions of the engine 12) to a predetermined number of revolutions by sending a signal to the main drive motor 16. After the number of revolutions of the engine is increased to the predetermined number of revolutions, the control device 24 supplies the engine 12 with fuel for driving the engine, causes the engine 12 to perform driving, and performs a travel in the internal combustion engine travel mode.

Next, torque adjustment during switching (shifting) of the transmission 14 c will be described with reference to FIG. 12.

FIG. 12 is a diagram that schematically illustrates changes in the acceleration that acts on the vehicle when transmission 14 c downshifts or upshifts, and represents, in order from the top, examples of downshift torque down, downshift torque assistance, and upshift torque assistance.

In the internal combustion engine travel mode, the hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention causes the control device 24 to automatically switch the clutch 14 b and the transmission 14 c, which is an automatic transmission, according to the vehicle speed and the number of revolutions of the engine when the automatic shift mode is set. As illustrated in the upper part of FIG. 12, when the transmission 14 c downshifts (shifts to a low speed) with negative acceleration acting on the vehicle 1 during deceleration (time t₁₀₁ in FIG. 12), the control device 24 disconnects the clutch 14 b to disconnect the output shaft of the engine 12 from the main drive wheels (rear wheels 2 a). When the engine 12 is disconnected from the main drive wheels in this way, since the rotation resistance of the engine 12 no longer acts on the main drive wheels, the acceleration acting on the vehicle 1 instantaneously changes to a positive side, as indicated by the dotted line in the upper part of FIG. 12. Next, the control device 24 sends a control signal to the transmission 14 c and switches the built-in hydraulic solenoid valve 62 (FIG. 5) to increase the reduction ratio of the transmission 14 c. Furthermore, when the control device 24 connects the clutch 14 b at time t₁₀₂ at which the downshift is completed, the acceleration changes to a negative side again. Although the period from the start to the completion of a downshift (from time t₁₀₁ to time t₁₀₂) is generally 300 to 1000 msec, the occupant is given an idle running feeling and may have a discomfort feeling due to a so-called torque shock in which the torque acting on the vehicle instantaneously changes.

In the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment, the control device 24 makes torque adjustment by sending a control signal to the auxiliary drive motors 20 at the time of a downshift to suppress the idle running feeling of the vehicle 1. Specifically, when the control device 24 performs a downshift by sending a signal to the clutch 14 b and the transmission 14 c, the control device 24 reads the number of revolutions of the input shaft and the number of revolutions of the output shaft of the transmission 14 c detected by the automatic transmission input rotation sensor 50 and the automatic transmission output rotation sensor 52 (FIG. 5), respectively. Furthermore, the control device 24 predicts changes in the acceleration generated in the vehicle 1 based on the number of revolutions of the input shaft and the number of revolutions of the output shaft that have been read and causes the auxiliary drive motors 20 to regenerate energy. This suppresses an instantaneous rise in the acceleration (change to the positive side) of the vehicle 1 due to a torque shock as indicated by the solid line in the upper part of FIG. 12, thereby suppressing an idling running feeling. Furthermore, in the embodiment, the torque shock in the main drive wheels (rear wheels 2 a) caused by a downshift is complemented by the auxiliary drive wheels (front wheels 2 b) via the auxiliary drive motors 20. Accordingly, torque adjustment can be made without being affected by the dynamic characteristics of the power transmission mechanism 14 that transmits power from the engine 12 to the main drive wheels.

In addition, as indicated by the dotted line in the middle part of FIG. 12, when downshift is started at time t₁₀₃ with positive acceleration acting on the vehicle 1 during acceleration, the output shaft of the engine 12 is disconnected from the main drive wheels (rear wheels 2 a). Accordingly, since the drive torque by the engine 12 does not act on the rear wheels 2 a and a torque shock occurs, the occupant may be given a stall feeling by the time the downshift is completed at time t₁₀₄. That is, the acceleration of the vehicle 1 instantaneously changes to the negative side at time t₁₀₃ at which a downshift is started and the acceleration changes to the positive side at time t₁₀₄ at which the downshift is completed.

In the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment, when performing a downshift, the control device 24 predicts changes in the acceleration caused in the vehicle 1 based on detection signals from the automatic transmission input rotation sensor 50 and the automatic transmission output rotation sensor 52 and causes the auxiliary drive motors 20 to generate driving forces. As indicated by the solid line in the middle part of FIG. 12, this suppresses an instantaneous drop (change to the negative side) of the acceleration of the vehicle 1 by a torque shock and suppresses a stall feeling.

Furthermore, as indicated by the dotted line in the lower part of FIG. 12, when an upshift is started at time t₁₀₅ with positive acceleration acting on the vehicle 1 (positive acceleration reduces with time) during acceleration, the output shaft of the engine 12 is disconnected from the main drive wheels (rear wheels 2 a). Accordingly, since the drive torque by the engine 12 does not act on the rear wheels 2 a and a torque shock occurs, the occupant may be given a stall feeling by the time the upshift is completed at time t₁₀₆. That is, the acceleration of the vehicle 1 instantaneously changes to the negative side at time t₁₀₅ at which the upshift is started and the acceleration chances to the positive side at time t₁₀₆ at which the upshift is completed.

In the embodiment, when performing a upshift, the control device 24 predicts changes in the acceleration caused in the vehicle 1 based on detection signals from the automatic transmission input rotation sensor 50 and the automatic transmission output rotation sensor 52 and causes the auxiliary drive motors 20 to generate driving forces. As indicated by the solid line in the lower part of FIG. 12, this suppresses an instantaneous drop (change to the negative side) of the acceleration of the vehicle 1 due to a torque shock and suppresses a stall feeling.

As described above, the adjustment of the drive torque by the auxiliary drive motors 20 during a downshift or an upshift of the transmission 14 c is performed in a very short time and does not substantially drive the vehicle 1. Therefore, the power generated by the auxiliary drive motors 20 can be generated by the electric charge regenerated by the auxiliary drive motors 20 and stored in the capacitor 21. In addition, the adjustment of the drive torque by the auxiliary drive motors 20 can be applied to an automatic transmission with a torque converter, an automatic transmission without a torque converter, an automated manual transmission, and the like.

In the hybrid drive device 10 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the voltage of the battery and the capacitor connected in series is applied to the auxiliary drive motors 20, which are the front wheel motors (FIG. 6), the auxiliary drive motors 20 can be driven by a higher voltage even when the battery 18 of a low voltage is used. This can keep the current for driving the auxiliary drive motors 20 low and prevent the conductor for supplying electric power from becoming excessive. On the other hand, since a high voltage is applied to the auxiliary drive motors 20 from the battery 18 and capacitor 22 connected in series, the dielectric withstand voltage of a high voltage portion needs to be high. However since the auxiliary drive motors 20 are close to the capacitor 22 disposed between the left and right wheels 2 b of the vehicle (FIG. 1), the route requested for a high dielectric withstand voltage becomes short and an increase in weight and cost can be minimized.

In addition, in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment, since the capacitor 22 is disposed at a position at which at least a part of the capacitor 22 overlaps with the from wheels 2 b when viewed from the side of the vehicle 1 (FIG. 3), the electric power supply path from the capacitor 22 to the auxiliary drive motors 20 can be further shortened, thereby further suppressing an increase in weight and cost caused by the insulating member.

Furthermore, in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment, since the capacitor 22 is disposed in front of the engine 12 (FIG. 2), if the vehicle 1 collides from the front, the capacitor 22 is damaged first. The capacitor is generally made of a material that does not burn easily. Accordingly, even if the vehicle 1 collides, since the flame-retardant capacitor 22 suppresses damage to the engine 12, the safety of the vehicle 1 can he further enhanced.

In addition, in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment, since the auxiliary drive motors 20, which are the front wheel motors, are in-wheel motors, the drive shafts that connect the auxiliary drive motors 20 and the wheels can be eliminated or shortened, thereby making the vehicle 1 more lightweight.

Furthermore, in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment, since the battery 18 is disposed below the vehicle interior of the vehicle 1, even if the vehicle 1 collides from the front, the impact of the collision does not easily affect the battery 18 and damage to the battery 18 can be suppressed.

In addition, in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment, since the maximum inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor 22 is higher than the inter-terminal voltage of the battery 18 (FIG. 7), the voltage applied to the auxiliary drive motors 20 can be sufficiently high and sufficient output power can be obtained while the current flowing to the auxiliary drive motors 20 is suppressed.

Furthermore, since the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment includes the high voltage DC/DC converter 26 a, which is the first voltage converting unit that charges the capacitor 22 with the electric power stored in the battery 18 and charges the battery 18 with the electric power stored in the capacitor 22, the amounts of electric power stored in the battery 18 and the capacitor 22 can be adjusted and the electric power stored in the battery 18 and the capacitor 22 can be used effectively.

In addition, in the hybrid drive device 10 according to the embodiment, since the low voltage DC/DC converter 26 b, which is the second voltage converting unit, reduces the voltage of the battery 18 and supplies electric power to the electric components 25, the battery 18 used to drive the main drive motor 16 and the auxiliary drive motors 20 can be shared with the electric components 25 provided in the vehicle 1 and the vehicle 1 can be made lightweight.

The vehicle drive device according to the first embodiment of the present invention has been described above. Although the vehicle drive device according to the present invention is applied to an FR vehicle in the first embodiment described above, the present invention is applicable to various types of vehicles such as a so-called FF vehicle in which an engine and/or a main drive motor are disposed in the front portion of the vehicle and the front wheels are the main drive wheels or a so-called RR vehicle in which an engine and/or a main drive motor are disposed in the rear portion of the vehicle and the rear wheels are the main drive wheels.

Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above. In particular, the present invention is applied to a hybrid drive device including an engine and a motor in the embodiments described above, but the present invention is applicable to a vehicle drive device that drives a vehicle only by a motor without having an engine.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1: vehicle -   2 a: rear wheel (main drive wheel) -   2 b: front wheel (auxiliary drive wheel) -   4 a: subframe -   4 b: front side frame -   4 c: dash panel -   4 d: propeller shaft tunnel -   6 a: engine mount -   6 b: capacitor mount -   8 a: upper arm -   8 b: lower arm -   8 c: spring -   8 d: shock absorber -   10: hybrid drive device (vehicle drive device) -   12: engine (internal combustion engine) -   14: power transmission mechanism -   14 a: propeller shaft -   14 b: clutch -   14 c: transmission (stepped transmission, automatic transmission) -   14 d: torque tube -   16: main drive motor (main drive electric motor, body side motor) -   16 a: inverter -   18: battery (electric storage unit) -   20: auxiliary drive motor (front wheel motor, in-wheel motor) -   20 a inverter -   22: capacitor -   22 a: bracket -   22 b: harness -   74: control device (controller) -   75: electric component -   26 a: high voltage DC/DC converter (first voltage converting unit) -   26 b: low voltage DC/DC converter (second voltage converting unit) -   28: stator -   28 a: stator base -   28 b: stator shaft -   28 c: stator coil -   30: rotor -   30 a: rotor body -   30 b: rotor coil -   32: electrical insulating liquid chamber -   32 a: electrical insulating liquid -   34: bearing -   40: mode selection switch -   42: vehicle speed sensor -   44: accelerator position sensor -   46: brake sensor -   48: engine RPM sensor -   50; automatic transmission input rotation sensor -   52: automatic transmission output rotation sensor -   54: voltage sensor -   56: current sensor -   58: fuel injection valve -   60: spark plug -   62: hydraulic solenoid valve -   101: vehicle -   102 a: front wheel (main drive wheel) -   102 b rear wheel (auxiliary drive wheel) -   202 a: front wheel (main drive wheel) -   301: vehicle -   302 b: rear wheel (main drive wheel) 

1. A vehicle drive device having a motor for driving wheels of a vehicle, the vehicle drive device comprising: a front wheel motor for driving front wheels of the vehicle; and a battery and a capacitor that supply electric power for driving the front wheel motor, wherein a voltage of the battery and the capacitor connected in series is applied to the front wheel motor, and the capacitor is disposed between the left and right front wheels of the vehicle.
 2. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the capacitor is disposed at a position at which at least a part of the capacitor overlaps with the front wheels when viewed from a side of the vehicle.
 3. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, further comprising: an internal combustion engine that drives the vehicle, wherein the capacitor is disposed in front of the internal combustion engine so that at least a part of the capacitor overlaps with the internal combustion engine when viewed from a front of the vehicle.
 4. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the front wheel motor includes in-wheel motors provided in the left and right front wheels of the vehicle, respectively.
 5. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein the battery is disposed below a vehicle interior of the vehicle or in a rear portion of the vehicle.
 6. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, wherein a maximum inter-terminal voltage of the capacitor is set to a voltage higher than an inter-terminal voltage of the battery.
 7. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, further comprising: a first voltage converting unit connected between the capacitor and the battery, wherein the first voltage converting unit performs at least one of an operation that raises the voltage of the battery and charges the capacitor with electric power stored in the battery and an operation that lowers the voltage of the capacitor and charges the battery with electric power stored in the capacitor.
 8. The vehicle drive device according to claim 1, further comprising: a second voltage converting unit connected between the battery and an electric component provided in the vehicle, wherein the second voltage converting unit lowers the voltage of the battery and supplies electric power to the electric component. 